Bicarbonate-containing stick deodorant

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a stable cosmetic stick deodorant comprising a polyhydric alcohol solidified by a fatty acid soap and containing about 0.1 to 70% alkali metal bicarbonate without the use of bacteriostats, and the method of making said stick deodorants.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 845,503 filed Oct. 25,1977, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a stable, saturated fatty acid soap basedstick deodorant containing alkali metal bicarbonate as the essentialdeodorizing agent, and to the method of making saidbicarbonate-containing deodorant sticks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Cosmetic sticks having antiperspirant and/or deodorizing effects andbased on alcoholic soap gels and/or propylene glycol soap gels are knownin the prior art and are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,900,306;2,857,315; 2,933,433; 3,259,545; 2,970,083, Canadian Pat. No. 567,499and British Pat. No. 795,773. The deodorizing agents heretoforeincorporated into said soap gels include halogenated dihydroxy diphenylmethanes, particularly hexachlorophenes, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,900,306 and 2,970,083.

In addition to or in lieu of aforesaid deodorants, antiperspirant agentssuch as sodium zirconium lactate, aluminum hydroxide gel, aluminumchlorhydroxy complex, aluminum hydroxy chloride, sodium aluminumchlorhydroxy lactate complex or mixtures thereof are added to saidpropylene glycol soap gel sticks as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,857,315; 2,933,433; 3,259,545; and 2,970,083.

Antiperspirants combat axillary odors by inhibiting perspiration throughthe action of astringent salts such as aluminum and zinc salts and maybe irritating to a considerable number of users. On the other hand,deodorants neutralize the objectionable odors resulting from thedegradation of the components of sweat due to chemical and microbialattack into foul smelling fatty acids. Deodorants do not inhibitsweating but rather neutralize the odorous degradation products ofsweat, either by their own odorous properties, or by the inhibition ofthe decomposition action of microbial action on the fats in the sweatresidues, or by reaction with the foul smelling fatty acids or by anycombination of these mechanisms. Accordingly, they are not as irritatingas the antiperspirants.

Sodium bicarbonate has long been recognized for its deodorantproperties, and has commonly been used as a deodorant in refrigerators.In addition, plain powdered sodium bicarbonate or diluted with talc,cornstarch, rice-flour, or other filler has been used as an underarmdeodorant as disclosed in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology Vol.71946 pages 131-133 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 279,195 and 1,558,405.

However, the development of a practical and effective deodorantcomposition in stick form, which is capable of consumer acceptability,presents many considerations which are unique. That is to say that,because sodium and potassium bicarbonate have only limited solubility inwater, alcohol and other solvents, the preparation of a compositionsuitable for dispensing in stick form has been an exceedingly difficulthad perplexing problem. In addition to the problem of limited solubilityof the sodium bicarbonate, its compatibility with the other ingredientsof conventional stick compositions, the dimensional stability of thestick containing sodium bicarbonate, its esthetic appearance and feel onthe skin are just a few of the additional problems encountered in thepreparation of an acceptable sodium bicarbonate-containing deodorantstick.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide anon-shrinking, non-stinging, stearate soap based deodorant stickcontaining an effective amount of an alkali metal bicarbonate as theactive deodorant, the bicarbonate eliminating the need for bacteriostatsas the deodorizing agent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that adeodorant stick comprising at least 0.1 to 3% and preferably at least 1to 3%, and up to 70%, and preferably up to 50% by weight of an alkalimetal bicarbonate dispersed or dissolved in aqueous or anhydrouspolyhydric alcohol per se, or in admixture with a monohydric alcohol,solidified by a minor amount of sodium stearate or a combination ofsodium and potassium stearates, exhibits certain desirablecharacteristics.

More specifically, present invention relates to a deodorant cosmeticstick consisting essentially of at least about 0.1-3% and up to about70% of an alkali metal bicarbonate, and about 0-10% suspending agent,dispersed in a soap based gel which comprises a major amount of anaqueous or anhydrous polyhydric alcohol or a mixture of a polyhydric andmonohydric alcohol, gelled by a minor amount of an alkali metal salt ofa fatty acid containing 14 to 20 carbon atoms.

The alkali metal bicarbonate incorporated into the fatty acid soap basedstick will generally be sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate. Ithas been found that low levels of bicarbonate, up to about 3% can bereadily dissolved in an aqueous solution in the preparation of atransparent stick. Higher levels of about 8% potassium bicarbonate canalso be used in the preparation of solid deodorant sticks. However,larger amounts of sodium or potassium bicarbonate, beyond theirsolubility range can also be incorporated into said sticks by using asuspending agent and micro-pulverized sodium or potassium bicarbonatepowder, having a particle size of about 5 to 100 microns and preferably10 to 25 microns. The smaller the particles, the easier it is to suspendin the soap gel; and the resultant stick affords a non-gritty, smootherfeel upon application to the skin.

Accordingly, extra strength deodorant sticks, i.e., containing more than3% bicarbonate, can also be formulated by adding a suitable suspendingagent, which are known bulking agent compounds such as colloidal silicasuch as "Cab-O-Sil"; a pyrogenic silica having a particle diameterbetween about 0.001 and 0.03 microns as disclosed in British Pat. No.987,301; colloidal (fumed) alumina; finely divided hydrophobicallytreated clays such as a reaction product of a clay such as bentonite orhectorite with, for example, dimethyldistearyl ammonium chloride;colloidal magnesium aluminum silicates; other montmorillonite clays; andhydrophobically treated montmorillonite clays. All patents referred toin this application are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

The preferred suspending agents are the hydrophobically treatedmontmorillonite or hectorite clays available under the trademark"Bentone" which are prepared by reacting a clay such as bentonite orhectorite in a cation exchange system with a variety of amines.Different amines are reacted to obtain different Bentone suspendingagents which may also differ in proportions of SiO₂, MgO and Al₂ O₃, allof which have a particle size below about 5 microns and are commerciallyavailable from the NL Industries, Inc.. The suspending agent is employedin amounts of about 0.1 to 10% and preferably 0.5 to 2% by weight of thetotal composition.

The transparency of the bicarbonate stick is reduced as the solubilityof the bicarbonate in the soap gel is reduced, because part of thebicarbonate is now in suspension, resulting in an opaque stick. Theseopaque sticks which contain up to 70% and preferably up to 50%bicarbonate are very effective stick deodorants and feel like a creamwhen applied to the skin, without affecting the hardness characteristicsof the stick. Partial substitution of talc for bicarbonate gives addedimprovement to the after feel of such sticks.

It has additionally been found that the substitution of water-absorptiveinsoluble filler materials in finely divided particulate form such astalc, cornstarch and the like for a portion of the bicarbonate content,not to exceed the amount of bicarbonate, can also be incorporated intothe soap based gel stick to give a smooth feel and/or water absorbingproperties to the product. Such materials act by absorbing sweat underthe armpit assuring a dry feeling without altering the normalperspiration process.

It has also been found that sodium or potassium bicarbonate buffers andlowers the pH of the soap based stick deodorant from about 10 to about8.5 to 9, and from 10.5 to 9.5 respectively thereby reducing possibleskin sensitivity without adversely affecting the required hardnesscharacteristics of the stick.

The sodium or potassium soap based gel into which the aqueousbicarbonate solution or suspension is incorporated comprises apolyhydric alcohol or a mixture of a polyhydric and monohydric alcohol,solidified or gelled by means of an alkali metal salt of a saturatedfatty acid containing about 14 to 20 carbon atoms. Suitable polyhydricalcohols include glycerin and the lower alkylene glycols of lowmolecular weight which are liquid at room temperature, such as ethyleneglycol, diethylene glycol, butylene glycol and preferably propyleneglycol. The alcohol content which includes the polyhydric alcohol andmonohydric alcohol (if any) constitutes the major liquid ingredient ofinstant composition, from about 20% to 90% by weight of the totalcomposition.

The monohydric alcohol which is a lower alkanol such as ethanol orisopropyl alcohol may be substituted for only part of the polyhydricalcohol, not to exceed 2.5 times that of the polyhydric alcohol andpreferably not to exceed the polyhydric alcohol content. These combinedalcohol containing sticks are also effective as deodorant sticks.However, transparency of the alcohol containing stick is reducedconsiderably, i.e., said sticks are opaque, not transparent ortranslucent. The use of ethanol as the sole alcohol base has been foundto be undesirable due to its drying out properties, i.e., syneresis.

The polyhydric alcohol or the combination of ethanol with the polyhydricalcohol, specifically propylene glycol is converted into a gel with asolidifying ingredient in a known manner to form the solid cosmeticproduct. In particular, it is preferred to employ a stearic acid soap asthe gelling agent which is formed preferably in situ by the admixture ofaqueous alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide with a warmsolution of stearic acid in propylene glycol or mixture thereof withethanol. The resulting mixture solidifies to a gel upon cooling. Anytype of high molecular weight saturated fatty acid may be used though itis preferred to employ the commercial stearic acid which comprisesessentially a mixture of stearic and palmitic acids. The solidifyingagent is used in minor amounts of about 2 to 15% and preferably about4-8% by weight. Although a sodium, potassium, or sodium-potassiumstearate is contemplated as the gelling agent, the sodium stearate ispreferred.

In addition to the essential components of the present composition, onemay also include therein minor amounts of components such as perfumes,coloring agents, ultraviolet absorbers to enhance the color, and thelike, so as to improve the aesthetic value and consumer acceptability.

Other optional ingredients in minor amounts may be incorporated ininstant composition without adversely affecting the beneficialproperties thereof such as the potassium, aluminum and amine soaps;emollients and emulsifiers such as silicones, fatty esters, fattyamides, fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty alcohols and acids. Theseemulsifiers help make the sticks into a melting stick so that uponcontact with the skin, a layer of the composition is deposited thereon.Preferred emulsifiers include alkoxylated cetyl alcohol such aspolypropylene glycol of the condensate of cetyl alcohol with 20 moles ofethylene oxide, oleyl alcohol, ethoxylated lanolin, particularly Solulanwhich is a polyethylene glycol ether of lanolin alcohols (average 16moles ethylene oxide).

Another optional ingredient having beneficial affects on the presentdeodorant stick are thickeners or viscosity builders which alone or incombination with suspending agents retard the settling out of materialsbefore the gel solidifies. Particularly useful thickeners includecellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Methocel which is ahydroxypropylmethyl cellulose containing about 23-32% hydroxypropylgroups, about 16.5-20% methyl groups and about 5% NaCl, having aviscosity of about 4000-6000 centipoises.

Known bacteriostats may also be added, although thebicarbonate-containing stick per se is effective as a deodorant withoutthe use of added bacteriostats.

The method of making the aqueous bicarbonate-containing deodorant stickof instant invention generally comprises mixing an aqueous dispersion orsolution of the bicarbonate plus suspending agent (when used) with a hotor heated solution of polyhydric alcohol, stearic acid and alkali metalhydroxide, preferably at about 160° F.; followed by the addition ofperfume, colorants and other optional ingredients, (if any) to form ahomogeneous liquid product; pouring the warm liquid into molds andcooling to room temperature. During the cooling period, gelation takesplace and the resultant product assumes a rigid form which is capable ofapplication to the skin by gently rubbing, whereby a thin film of saidcomposition is deposited on the desired areas of the skin. The resultantrigid stick is transparent or opaque, depending on the amount ofbicarbonate added and the particular ingredients employed. This stick isstable, i.e., there is no separation out of specific ingredients; and itpossesses a good shelf-life, i.e., no syneresis or shrinkage occurs.

Another method of making the aqueous bicarbonate-containing sticks ofinstant invention comprises the addition of the powdered bicarbonate andfiller such as talc (if desired) directly to the hot liquid soap basewith agitation, and pouring the warm flowable mixture into containers toharden into deodorant sticks.

A preferred method of making said bicarbonate-containing stick is tocombine the stearic acid with sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate toform the sodium or potassium soap and the sodium or potassiumbicarbonate in situ. This reaction is shown by the following equationwherein R represents the stearyl radical: ##STR1##

The method of preparing the anhydrous soap based sticks comprisesdissolving the alkali metal soap such as the stearate in hot polyhydricalcohol containing a suspending agent; adding the bicarbonate theretowith agitation; followed by the addition of the water absorptivematerials, perfume, coloring agents, etc.; and pouring the resultantmixture into containers to cool and solidify.

The following specific examples are further illustrative of the presentinvention, but it is understood that the invention is not limitedthereto. All amounts of various ingredients are by weight unlessotherwise specified.

EXAMPLES 1-5 (Na Soap--Propylene Glycol--Water Based)

    ______________________________________                                        Example    1        2       3     4     5                                     ______________________________________                                        Part 1                                                                        Propylene Glycol                                                                         53.45    53.35   52.45 50.45 45.45                                 Stearic Acid                                                                             6.00     6.00    6.00  6.00  6.00                                  19.1% Na.sub.2 O                                                                         3.60     3.60    3.60  3.60  3.60                                  Caustic Soda                                                                  Part 2                                                                        Deionized water                                                                          35.6     35.6    35.6  35.6  28.20                                 Sodium Bicar-                                                                            --       0.1     1.0   3.0   --                                    bonate                                                                        Sodium Bicar-                                                                            --       --      --    --    15.00                                 bonate (Micro                                                                 pulverized)                                                                   Bentone LT --       --      --    --    0.50                                  Part 3                                                                        Perfume    1.00     1.00    1.00  1.00  1.00                                  Triclosan (Bac-                                                                          0.10     0.10    0.10  0.10  --                                    teriostat).sup.1                                                              Uvinul 400 0.05     0.05    0.05  0.05  0.05                                  (Ultraviolet                                                                  absorber).sup.2                                                               Part 4                                                                        FDC Blue #1                                                                              0.20     0.20    0.20  0.20  0.20                                  0.1% of soln.                                                                            100.00   100.00  100.00                                                                              100.00                                                                              100.00                                Visual     Translu- Trans-  Trans-                                                                              Trans-                                                                              Opaque                                Appearance cent to  parent  parent                                                                              lucent                                                 Opaque                                                             pH (10%    10.32    9.7     9.1   8.9   8.5                                   Aqueous Soln)                                                                 ______________________________________                                         1. 4,2',4' trichloro2-hydroxy diphenyl ether                                  2. 2,4 dihydroxy benzophenone                                            

The stearic acid and the propylene glycol are mixed and heated to 160°F., followed by addition of the caustic soda.

The Bentone is gradually added to the water with rapid and/or high shearmixing, followed by the addition of the sodium bicarbonate.

The two solutions are mixed together and cooled to 125°-130° F. Theperfume, bacteriostat and uvinol are admixed and added to the abovemixture, followed by the addition of the coloring agent.

The total mixture is poured into molds and chilled to solidify intostable deodorant sticks.

These examples clearly show the buffering affect of the sodiumbicarbonate, as well as the improved transparency of the stick atconcentrations of 0.1 to 3% bicarbonate content.

The pH measurements are made by dissolving 10 gms of stick deodorant in90 gms deionized water by heating, and then cooling to room temperaturebefore taking readings.

EXAMPLES 6 AND 7 (Na Soap--Propylene Glycol--Ethanol--Water Based)

    ______________________________________                                        Example             6        7                                                ______________________________________                                        Part 1                                                                        Propylene Glycol    32.80    32.80                                            Ethanol (95%)       35.75    32.75                                            Stearic Acid (B Grade)                                                                            6.00     6.00                                             19.1% Na.sub.2 O Caustic Soda                                                                     3.60     3.60                                             Part 2                                                                        Deionized Water     20.00    20.00                                            Sodium Bicarbonate  --       3.00                                             Part 3                                                                        Perfume             1.00     1.00                                             Triclosan (Bacteriostat)                                                                          0.10     0.10                                             Uvinul 400          0.05     0.05                                             Butyl Stearate      0.50     0.50                                             Part 4                                                                        FDC Blue #1 0.1% aq. soln                                                                         0.20     0.20                                                                 100.00   100.00                                           Visual Appearance   Opaque   Opaque                                           pH                  9.5      8.8                                              ______________________________________                                    

The same procedure as in Example 1-5 is followed.

These examples also show the buffering action of the bicarbonate in thepresence of a mixture of ethanol and propylene glycol.

EXAMPLES 8 AND 9 (Combining Stearic Acid with Sodium Carbonate)

    ______________________________________                                        Example             8        9                                                ______________________________________                                        Part 1                                                                        Propylene Glycol    53.45    52.60                                            Stearic Acid (B Grade)                                                                            6.00     6.00                                             Trichlorocarbanilide (TCC)                                                                        0.15     --                                               Part 2                                                                        Deionized water     36.6     33.75                                            Sodium Carbonate    2.4      2.40                                             Sodium Bicarbonate  --       3.00                                             Bentone LT          --       0.50                                             Methocel (thickener).sup.1                                                                        --       0.40                                             Part 3                                                                        Perfume             1.00     1.00                                             Uvinul 400          0.05     0.05                                             Triclosan (Bacteriostat)                                                                          0.05     --                                               Part 4                                                                        FDC Blue #1 0.1% aq. Soln                                                                         0.30     0.30                                                                 100.00   100.00                                           Visual Appearance   Trans-   Opaque                                                               parent                                                    pH (10% aqueous Soln)                                                                             9.0      8.8                                              ______________________________________                                         1. hydroxy propylmethyl cellulose                                        

Part 1 is prepared by heating and dissolving the TCC and the stearicacid in propylene glycol at 160° F.

Part 2 is prepared by dissolving the sodium carbonate and/or the sodiumbicarbonate in water with mixing and heating to 160° F. Methocel isgradually added with rapid mixing followed by the gradual addition ofBentone.

Part 1 is gradually added to Part 2 and cooled to about 130° F.

Part 3 ingredients are admixed and added to the above liquid mixture,followed by the addition of the color. This homogeneous mixture ispoured into molds and chilled.

These examples are specific to the preferred method of forming thesodium bicarbonate in situ by the addition of stearic acid to the sodiumcarbonate. The stick containing less than 3% bicarbonate is transparent,whereas the greater quantity of bicarbonate produces an opaque stick.

In Example 9, the total quantity of sodium bicarbonate formed exceedsits solubility in the system so that the excess amount precipitates outas fine particles on the Bentone suspending agent.

EXAMPLES 10-12

    ______________________________________                                        Example        10          11     12                                          ______________________________________                                        Propylene glycol                                                                             53.45       53.45  53.45                                       Stearic Acid   6.00        6.00   6.00                                        TCC            0.15        0.15   0.15                                        Deionized Water                                                                              33.5        33.4   33.4                                        Caustic Soda (19.1%)                                                                         3.6         3.6    3.6                                         NaCl           --          0.1    --                                          Sodium Bicarbonate                                                                           --          --     0.1                                         Diisopropyl adipate                                                                          1.0         1.0    1.0                                         Benzyl alcohol 1.0         1.0    1.0                                         Lavender       1.0         1.0    1.0                                         FDC Blue #1 (0.1%)                                                                           0.2         0.3    0.3                                         U.V. 400       0.05        0.05   0.05                                        DP 300         0.05        0.05   0.05                                        ______________________________________                                    

Example 12 is significantly more transparent than Examples 10 and 11 andretains its transparency after 20 minutes at 0° in a freezer, whereasthe other sticks become slightly hazy after freezing, therebydemonstrating the superior stability of the bicarbonate-containingstick. In addition, Example 12 retains its transparency after standingovernight, whereas the other sticks become less transparent.

EXAMPLES 13 AND 14 Cream Sticks

    ______________________________________                                        Example                13      14                                             Base                   A       C                                              ______________________________________                                        Part 1                                                                        Propylene Glycol       55.0    75.73                                          Stearic Acid (Double pressed grade)                                                                  6.0     --                                             Stearic Acid (Triple Pressed grade)                                                                  --      5.00                                           Bentone LT             2.0     1.00                                           Tallow Fatty Acid      --      1.00                                           Part 2                                                                        Water                  26.48   10.0                                           Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)                                                                          2.40    2.37                                           Part 3                                                                        Perfume                1.0     1.0                                            Glycerol Monostearate  --      0.5                                            Procetyl AWS (emulsifier).sup.1                                                                      7.0     3.0                                            D & C Green 8 (2.75%)  0.08    --                                             FDC Green 3 (0.1%)     0.04    --                                             D & C Red 19 (0.1%)    --      0.4                                                                   100.00  100.00                                         50%        Cream Stick  50%     Cream Stick                                              Base A               Base C                                        50%        Baking Soda  25%     Baking Soda                                   100%       Micropulver-         Micropulver-                                             ized)                ized)                                                                 25%     Italian Talc                                                          100%                                                  ______________________________________                                    

1. polypropylene glycol (5 moles) of condensate of cetyl alcohol with 20moles of ethylene oxide.

Part 1 ingredients are admixed and heated to 160° F. and added to theaqueous solution of Part 2 at 160° F. The mixture is cooled to 140° F.and a mixture of Part 3 ingredients are added thereto with mixing toform the cream stick base.

The micropulverized baking soda per se or jointly with the talc powderare mixed with the hot liquid cream base at a temperature of at least125° F. The warm flowable mixture is poured into containers and cooledto form a solid stick. These high solid stick deodorants go on the skinlike a cream. The talc baking soda sticks give a particularly smoothfeel when rubbed on the skin.

EXAMPLES 15 AND 16 (Use of Potassium Bicarbonate)

    ______________________________________                                        Example         15          16                                                ______________________________________                                        Part 1                                                                        Propylene Glycol                                                                              52.3        44.3                                              Sodium Stearate 8.0         8.0                                               Procetyl AWS    3.0         3.0                                               Part 2                                                                        Deionized water 35.0        35.0                                              Potassium Bicarbonate                                                                         0           8.0                                               Part 3                                                                        Sodium Chloride 0.2         0.2                                               Perfume         1.5         1.5                                                               100.0       100.0                                             Appearance      Translucent to                                                                            Translucent to                                                    Transparent Transparent                                       pH (10% aqueous solution)                                                                     10.5        9.5                                               ______________________________________                                    

Sodium stearate and procetyl AWS are dissolved in hot propylene glycolat about 180° F. Potassium bicarbonate is dissolved in warm deionizedwater. Part 2 is added to Part 1 with mixing and Part 3 ingredients areadmixed.

Results show the buffering affect of potassium bicarbonate and itsusefulness at 8% in solution.

EXAMPLE 17 (Anhydrous Stick)

    ______________________________________                                        Example               17                                                      ______________________________________                                        Propylene Glycol      75.8                                                    Sodium Stearate       8                                                       Procetyl AWS          4                                                       Sodium Bicarbonate (micropulverized)                                                                10                                                      Bentone LT            0.5                                                     Perfume               1.5                                                     FDC Green #3 (0.1% in ethanol)                                                                      0.2                                                                           100.0                                                   Appearance            Greenish opaque                                                               (with good aesthetics)                                  ______________________________________                                    

Bentone LT is dispersed in propylene glycol and procetyl AWS solutionwith rapid mixing. Sodium stearate is dissolved in the mixture at about185° F. The temperature is reduced to 160° F. and the sodium bicarbonatepowder is admixed followed by perfume and color. The product is pouredinto containers and cooled to form a solid stick.

EXAMPLE 18 (Substitution of Glycerine for Propylene Glycol)

    ______________________________________                                        Example                18                                                     ______________________________________                                        Part 1                                                                        Glycerine              50.00                                                  Stearic Acid (Double Pressed Grade)                                                                  6.00                                                   Part 2                                                                        Deionized water        35.83                                                  Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)                                                                          2.40                                                   Part 3                                                                        Perfume                1.50                                                   Triclosan (Bacteriostat)                                                                             0.15                                                   Procetyl AWS           4.00                                                   D & C Green #8 (2.75%) 0.08                                                   FDC Green #3 (0.1%)    0.04                                                                          100.00                                                 Appearance             Transparent                                            ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 is prepared by dissolving stearic acid in glycerine at 160° F.

Part 2 is prepared by dissolving soda ash in deionized water at 160° F.

Part 1 is added gradually to Part 2 with mixing and cooled to 145° F.

Part 3 ingredients are admixed and the solution is poured intocontainers and cooled to form a solid stick.

Other polyhydric alcohols can be substituted for propylene glycol inpart or in total in the above Examples, such as ethylene glycol,butylene glycol, etc. Similarly the ethanol can be replaced by othermonohydric alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol. Likewise, other fattyacid soaps can be substituted for the stearate soap.

All of the sticks containing the bicarbonate have been found to be ahighly effective deodorant without the use of bacteriostats, stable,non-stinging and non-shrinking.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated withreference to specific examples, it is understood that modifications andvariations of composition and procedure are contemplated within thescope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A stable opaque water-based deodorant stick comprising awater-insoluble amount of sodium or potassium bicarbonate as theessential deodorizing agent, dispersed by means of 0.1-10% suspendingagent in an aqueous polyhydric alcohol solidified by an alkali metalsalt of a saturated C₁₄ -C₂₀ fatty acid gelling agent, said polyhydricalcohol constituting about 20-90% by weight of the total composition. 2.A deodorant stick in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gelling agentis sodium stearate and constitutes about 2-15% by weight.
 3. A deodorantstick in accordance with claim 1, which contains an alkali metalbicarbonate powder having a particle size of about 5 to 100 microns andabout 0.1-1.0% by weight of suspending agent selected from the groupconsisting of colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, colloidal magnesiumalumina silicates, and finely divided hydrophobic clays.
 4. A deodorantstick in accordance with claim 3, wherein said clay is selected from thegroup consisting of the hydrophobically treated reaction products ofbentonite or hectorite.
 5. A deodorant stick in accordance with claim 1,wherein the alkali metal bicarbonate is formed in situ simultaneouslywith the alkali metal stearate soap by reacting the stearic acid withalkali metal carbonate.
 6. A deodorant stick in accordance with claim 1,wherein the polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting ofglycerine and lower alkylene glycols of low molecular weight which areliquid at room temperature.
 7. A deodorant stick in accordance withclaim 4, wherein the polyhydric alcohol is propylene glycol and themonohydric alcohol is ethanol.
 8. An opaque deodorant stick inaccordance with claim 6, wherein a monohydric alcohol is substituted forabout one half the polyhydric alcohol content.
 9. An opaque deodorantstick in accordance with claim 3, containing more than 3% and up toabout 50% sodium bicarbonate.
 10. An opaque deodorant stick inaccordance with claim 3, containing more than 8% and up to about 50%potassium bicarbonate.
 11. A deodorant stick in accordance with claim 6,wherein the polyhydric alcohol is propylene glycol and the gelling agentconstitutes about 2-15% by weight of the total composition.
 12. Adeodorant stick in accordance with claim 6, wherein a finely dividedwater absorptive filler material is substituted for part of thebicarbonate content, not to exceed the amount of bicarbonate.
 13. Adeodorant stick in accordance with claim 12, wherein said fillermaterial is talc or cornstarch.
 14. A method preparing a stablewater-based deodorant stick containing a water-insoluble amount ofsodium or potassium bicarbonate, which comprises mixing an aqueousdispersion of said bicarbonate and about 0.1-10% suspending agent with aheated solution comprising about 20-90% by weight polyhydric alcohol andan alkali metal salt of a saturated C₁₄ -C₂₀ fatty acid gelling agent,to form a homogeneous warm liquid product, pouring the warm liquid intomolds and cooling to room temperature to solidify said liquid into arigid opaque deodorant stick.
 15. A method in accordance with claim 14,wherein said gelling agent is formed in situ by the reaction of a C₁₄-C₂₀ saturated fatty acid with an alkali metal hydroxide, dissolved insaid heated polyhydric alcohol.
 16. A method in accordance with claim15, wherein the polyhydric alcohol is propylene glycol and the fattyacid is stearic acid.
 17. A method in accordance with claim 14, whereina lower alkanol is added to the heated solution in an amount not toexceed the polyhydric alcohol content.
 18. A method in accordance withclaim 14, wherein both the bicarbonate and the alkali metal fatty acidgelling agent are simultaneously formed in situ by the reaction of anaqueous solution of sodium or potassium carbonate with a heatedpolyhydric alcohol solution of a C₁₄ -C₂₀ saturated fatty acid.
 19. Amethod in accordance with claim 14, wherein a finely divided particulatewater-absorptive filler material is mixed with the warm liquid prior topouring the mixture into molds.
 20. A deodorant stick in accordance withclaim 1, obtained by reacting an aqueous sodium or potassium carbonatesolution with an alcoholic fatty acid solution, whereby the bicarbonateis formed in situ simultaneously with the sodium or potassium fatty acidgelling agent.